Under The Hood

Torque, diff lock, ABS... Car jargon sounds like a different language to some. Expert, Juliet McGuire translates some of the most commonly used motoring terms and gives us a peek at the new BMW i8 Roadster.

- Juliet McGuire

ABS

An antilock braking system prevents the wheels from locking when you brake. Basically, if you slam on brakes, especially in an emergency situation, the ABS will maintain tractive contact with the road surface and will help to avoid uncontrolled skidding.

Adaptive Cruise Control

Like cruise control, this system keeps your car at a constant speed but also monitors the traffic ahead and reduces or increases the car’s speed based on the flow of traffic. It’s a form of autonomous driving and can make those long road trips far more relaxing.

AWD

Also referred to as 4WD or four-wheel drive, all-wheel-drive powers all four wheels unlike a front-wheel drive (FWD) car, which only sends power to the front wheels. AWD drive means better traction and therefore safety and so it is often the preferred option.

Differential